- Published:
- Monday 16 October 2017
Schools, students and teachers from across Victoria have been recognised for their work giving students the opportunity to have their say.
Minister for Education James Merlino recently presented the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) Recognition Awards to students, teachers and principals at a ceremony in Melbourne.
The awards recognise the important role teachers have in nurturing and instilling leadership skills in young people and the contribution students make in being actively involved in decision making in their schools and community.
This year’s winners include Emerald Secondary College, which was awarded the Group Action Award for its Pride Inclusion Project aimed at raising awareness of bullying.
Some of the initiatives the College has introduced includes organising Diversity Week events and building a sensory garden as a place for students and the wider school community to meet.
Yarram Secondary College teacher, Melanie Mitchell, was named Teacher of the Year, for her role as a mentor to members of the Student Representative Council.
Melanie, who has encouraged students to take a proactive role in decisions regarding the future direction of the College, was also a strong supporter of a student-led campaign to revive the school’s drama productions.
Held annually, the awards cover five categories: Teacher of the Year, Student Representative Council of the Year for both primary and secondary schools and a Youth Leadership Award.
In August, students, teachers and principals were invited to apply for an award in one or more of the five categories.
Winners share in $20,000 in prizes which can be used to fund student voice initiatives, social change campaigns, student representative council activities and student leadership opportunities.
The VicSRC was established in 2003 and is the peak body representing school students in Victoria.
The Department has provided funds to the VicSRC to support student voice in Victoria since 2007 and funding for the awards strengthens student voice and leadership.
The VicSRC Recognition Awards form part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Education State, including a focus on empowering students and building school pride.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“If we want to get the best out of our students we need to listen to them and these awards recognise the hard work that is done by the Victorian Student Representative Council across our state.”
“The VicSRC helps make sure that students have a real voice in how their schools work and what the Education State looks like. Congratulations to all award winners, you should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved.”
2017 VicSRC Recognition Awards Finalists
Department of Education and Training Group Action Award
Emerald Secondary College - Winner
Moomba Park Primary School – Runner up
Mount Waverley Secondary College – Runner up
Pearson Australia Teacher of the Year Award
Melanie Mitchell – Yarram Secondary College - Winner
Liam Doyle – Portland Secondary College –Runner up
Anna Gage – Brauer College – Runner up
Newsboy Foundation Youth Leadership Award
David Trevorrow – Braybrook College - Winner
Bryce Pace – Brauer College – Runner up
Tabitha Anderson – Epping Secondary College – Runner up
Department of Education and Training Student Representative Council of the Year – Primary
Rosanna Primary School - Winner
Clifton Springs Primary School – Runner up
Swan Hill Primary School – Runner up
Department of Education and Training Student Representative Council of the Year – Secondary
Sacred Heart College, Geelong - Winner
Forest Hill College – Runner up
Bendigo Senior Secondary College – Runner up